Charleston

Climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage for a narrated ride through Charleston’s Historic District, passing antebellum mansions, wrought-iron balconies, cobblestone streets and the Battery. Sit back as your guide brings centuries-old stories to life, then plan a tour to hear the city’s past up close.

Walk the waterfront promenade along The Battery at the southern tip of Charleston’s historic peninsula, where you will find antebellum mansions and live oak trees framing sweeping views of Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter. Relax in White Point Garden among historic cannons and monuments, watch boats glide by, and enjoy the view.

Catch the authorized ferry from downtown Charleston or Patriots Point to Fort Sumter, the island fort where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861. Walk the ruined walls, join ranger talks, and explore exhibits at the waterfront visitor center, and remember boats are the only way to reach the island so book ferry tickets ahead and enjoy the harbor views.

Stroll through the historic Charleston City Market to browse Gullah sweetgrass baskets, Lowcountry crafts and local art. Then head to nearby King Street for independent boutiques, antique shops and lively restaurants; take your time and enjoy the finds.

Stroll the leafy Waterfront Park for sweeping views of Charleston Harbor and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, then linger on the pier's swinging benches. Admire the multi-tiered Pineapple Fountain, a beloved Charleston symbol, and bring a camera to capture the waterfront scene.

Take a guided kayak tour through Charleston’s Lowcountry creeks and tidal marshes to soak in quiet coastal scenery and spot wading birds, shorebirds, and other marsh life up close. Tours follow tidal channels and estuaries, so choose a calm morning trip and see the city from a fresh angle.

Walk through beautifully preserved Lowcountry homes and lush gardens. See downtown Federal and antebellum mansions and plantation‑era estates such as Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place, and consider booking a guided tour so you can stroll the grounds and soak up the history.

Photograph the pastel-colored Georgian row houses of Rainbow Row on East Bay Street between Tradd and Elliott Streets, a restored stretch of 18th-century homes that is one of Charleston's most iconic scenes. Visit early for soft light and fewer people, then stroll the nearby cobblestone streets and waterfront to soak up the city’s historic charm.